Here's all you need to know about the job prospects of the guys who went undrafted over the weekend: STATS LLC says there were 530 undrafted free agents on NFL rosters in Week 17 of last season.
That's a lot of players, and positive proof that if you can play -- and if you did not get drafted -- you will get a shot in the NFL.
That should ease some of the angst for the players on this list and on this one, too.
Numerous undrafted free agents have gone on to big careers, including careers that have ended in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Here is a look at five notable current players who were undrafted out of college (and it is by no means an all-inclusive list), five notable players of recent vintage who went undrafted and, finally, the list of Pro Football Hall of Famers who were undrafted out of college.
CURRENT PLAYERS
RB Arian Foster
The buzz: A Tennessee alum. Signed by the Houston Texans in 2009 and remains with team. Two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler. Led NFL in rushing in 2010 with 1,616 yards, and also had 16 rushing TDs.
TE Antonio Gates
The buzz: Played basketball at Kent State. Signed by the San Diego Chargers in 2003 and remains with team. Five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler. One of the most productive tight ends ever with 719 receptions for 9,193 yards and 87 TDs in his career.
QB Tony Romo
The buzz: Played college ball at Eastern Illinois. Signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 and remains with team. Three-time Pro Bowler. Led NFC in TD passes in 2007 (36) and in passing yards in 2009 (4,483). Holds the Cowboys franchise record for TD passes (208).
DE Cameron Wake
The buzz: Played collegiately at Penn State and was eligible for 2005 draft. Was signed by the Giants in 2005 but was waived. Didn't play professionally until 2007, in CFL. Signed by the Miami Dolphins in 2009 and remains with Dolphins. All-Pro once and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
WR Wes Welker
The buzz: Played college ball at Texas Tech. Signed by the San Diego Chargers in 2004; they cut him and he signed with the Miami Dolphins that same year. Also has played with the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. Led NFL in receptions three times (2007, '09, '11).
RECENT PLAYERS
G Kris Dielman
The buzz: Played collegiately at Indiana. Played in NFL from 2003-11 for the San Diego Chargers. A two-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler.
LB London Fletcher
The buzz: Played at Division III John Carroll. Played in NFL from 1998-2013 for the St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. A four-time Pro Bowler. Holds NFL mark for consecutive starts made by a linebacker, at 215.
RB Priest Holmes
The buzz: A Texas alum. Played in NFL from 1997-2007 for the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2002 with the Chiefs, when he rushed for 1,615 yards and 21 TDs. Three-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.
C Jeff Saturday
The buzz: Played college ball at North Carolina. Played in NFL from 1999-2012 for the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers. Two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler.
QB Kurt Warner
The buzz: A Northern Iowa alum. Played in NFL from 1998-2009 with the St. Louis Rams, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals. NFL MVP in 1999 and 2001. Two-time All-Pro. Four-time Pro Bowler. Super Bowl XXXIV MVP.
HALL OF FAMERS
There are 15 Hall-of-Fame players who began their NFL careers as undrafted free agents, including cornerback Dick "Night Train" Lane, guard Larry Little and center Jim Langer. The other dozen: CB Willie Brown, CB Jack Butler, C Frank Gatski, K/OT Lou Groza, QB Warren Moon, RB Marion Motley, RB Joe Perry, DT John Randle, CB Emmitt Thomas, DB Emlen Tunnell, NT Bill Willis and CB Willie Wood.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
